sphere = ellipsoid,
ball

sphere = ellipsoid
general syntax:

sphere{ <x_M,y_M,z_M>, r
        texture{ ... ... }
      }

In this case <x_M,y_M,z_M> are the coordinates of the center and r is the radius.
The samples here:

sphere{< 0,0, 0>,1.0 texture{...}}
sphere{<-1,2,-3>,1.0 texture{...}}
sphere{< 2,3, 5>,1.0 texture{...}}

If a sphere has to be deformed by "scale< , , >" to a ellipsoid, it's recommanded to do this according to the following
principle of construction:
1st step: Deforming the shape at the origin of the coordinates "<0,0,0>" by "scale< , , >" and then
2nd step: Moving the shape to it's final position in the world by "translate< , , >".
Because the "scale< , , >" works always relative to the center "<0,0,0>" it's recommanded to do it before translating!.

sphere + scale<...> = ellipsoid
general syntax:

sphere{ <x_M,y_M,z_M>, r scale<s_x,s_y,s_z>
        texture{ ... ... }
      }

Here <x_M,y_M,z_M> are the coordinates of the center and r is the radius and s_x,s_y,s_z are the scale factors in x-, y- and z-direction.
The samples here:

sphere{<0,0,0>,1.0 scale<2,0.4,1>
      translate< 0,0, 0> texture{...}}
sphere{<0,0,0>,1.0 scale<1,1,2>
      translate<-1,2,-3> texture{...}}
sphere{<0,0,0>,1.0 scale<1,1,0.2>
      translate< 2,3, 5> texture{...}}

Descriptions and Samples for the POV-Ray Raytracer by Friedrich A. Lohmüller

Basic Geometic Objects

sphere = ellipsoid,
ball

Descriptions and Samples for the POV-Ray Raytracer by Friedrich A. Lohmüller

Basic Geometic Objects

sphere = ellipsoid, ball

sphere = ellipsoid,
ball